Transmigration: The Evil Mother-In-Law Is Actually Innocent!
Chapter 868 Paving the Way

Chapter 868: Chapter 868 Paving the Way

Zhulan finished speaking and surveyed the private room. It was elegantly arranged, particularly the screen embroidered with plum blossoms, which added a perfect touch. Handing her cloak to Nanny Song, she chose a seat and sat down.

Lady Bai had already personally poured the tea and replied with a smile, "If you hadn’t come to the Du family today, I would have invited my sister-in-law for tea, so the private room wouldn’t have been wasted."

Zhulan sniffed the tea, hmm, quite fragrant. She had eaten something a bit greasy before, and the tea was perfect for cutting the grease, "Now that we’re alone, what did you want to see me about?"

Lady Bai took a sip of tea and didn’t beat around the bush, "Lady knows, my husband is a doctor in the Ministry of Personnel."

Zhulan of course knew that Lady Bai’s husband, who was not very old, had already risen to the position of doctor in the Ministry of Personnel. Zhou Shuren had said before that in the future, the Song family could also produce someone of high status and power.

Zhulan set down her teacup, "Have you heard some news?"

Lady Bai, born into one of the noble families, enjoyed speaking with Lady Yang and had taken the initiative to cultivate a good relationship, precisely because they were both intelligent, "Yes. The Ministry of Personnel is currently conducting assessments. There is no need for me to mention Zhou, Master of the Ministry, as everyone is clear about his position. The one I want to talk about is Wu Ming, Mister Wu."

Zhulan thought that, by this logic, the Song family was aligned with the Crown Prince. It was normal for them to know about Wu Ming’s transfer, "Does the Song family have a suitable young lady?"

Lady Bai wasn’t surprised that Lady Yang guessed this and said generously, "Yes, my cousin’s youngest daughter, who just came of age this year. Because I am somewhat acquainted with you, Lady, that’s why we’re having this talk today."

Zhulan had been keeping Wu Ming’s marital prospects in mind. His three-year mourning period had passed, and each time she wrote to ask if he had any thoughts of starting a family, Wu Ming had said there was no hurry.

Now, with Wu Ming about to enter the capital, it was indeed time to set this marriage. Zhulan asked, "The daughters of the Song family have always been betrothed early. Why has this Miss Song not been promised despite coming of age?"

Lady Bai didn’t hide anything, as the matter couldn’t be kept secret, "She was betrothed when she was young. When my cousin’s daughter was ten, my uncle was demoted due to a mistake, so the other party broke off the engagement. Two years ago, my uncle was reinstated, but my aunt became somewhat fearful, intent on finding someone better. But in the capital, the good men are either already betrothed or too young, so it has been dragging on."

Lady Bai paused, then continued, "We were hoping to find someone suitable during the imperial examination period, but there was no one appropriate."

Actually, the current fifth Prince was also on my aunt’s list at the beginning. After the imperial examinations, my aunt decisively crossed him off. According to her, marrying such a man would mean a lifetime of worry and hardship.

A thought struck Zhulan, considering the Song family held in high regard by Zhou Shuren, "I’ll keep this in mind."

Lady Bai said no more, "Lady, please enjoy your tea."

Having finished discussing the matter, Zhulan felt relieved. She smiled as she sipped her tea and tasted the snacks from the teahouse, finding them quite to her liking, so she packed two parcels to take home for the children.

In the evening, when Zhou Shuren came home, Zhulan mentioned the matter, "Do you know Lady Bai’s uncle from the paternal side of her family?"

Zhou Shuren nodded, "I know. This Master Song was originally a third-rank official in the Ministry of Rites. After his incident, he was demoted, but two years ago, he rose again and is now a fourth-rank official of the Bureau of State Ceremonial."

He paused before continuing, "That’s the advantage of having a large family. Without that, Master Song wouldn’t have had a chance to rise again. Although he’s now a fourth-rank official of the Bureau of State Ceremonial, he’s the top authority there."

Zhulan spoke with a hint of meaning, "Being in a family means having ready access to information. Wu Ming hasn’t even entered the capital yet, and look, they’ve already come knocking."

Zhou Shuren, however, said, "The Song family is backing the Crown Prince. The Crown Prince intends to make use of Wu Ming, and the Song family just so happens to have a suitable young lady. The Crown Prince must have given a push."

Zhulan asked, "What do you think of this marriage then?"

Zhou Shuren spread his hands, "This marriage is influenced by the Crown Prince, so what we think doesn’t matter. To put it plainly, we’re just messengers, and because we hold the roles of Wu Ming’s godparents, they made the effort to approach us."

Zhulan, "....You’re right. Let’s write to Wu Ming then, and let him decide."

Zhou Shuren curled his lip, "From beginning to end, there was only one answer. Wu Ming could only agree, with no other choice. This marriage is also good for Wu Ning after entering the capital. Now, it seems that the Crown Prince is very fond of Wu Ming, paving the way for him."

Zhulan sighed, "Even without our time, Wu Ming would stand tall as a leader. Gold will shine sooner or later. Now, Wu Ming is just walking more steadily than before."

Zhou Shuren, "It’s a pity it will still take him some years to come to that realization. I truly hope he can come to it sooner, so I can relax a bit."

Zhulan pushed her husband lightly, "Go and write the letter."

"Mm."

The next day at the Ministry of Revenue, Zhou Shuren returned from the morning court to the Ministry and saw Zhang Yang greeting him cheerfully. He paused in his step, surprised that Zhang Yang even smiled at him!

He turned to the doctor beside him and asked, "What’s happened to His Highness?"

The doctor cleared his throat, "Sir, I have heard that yesterday the Prince Residence welcomed two new concubines."

Zhou Shuren had never concerned himself with such matters and merely tugged at the corner of his mouth, men ah, "Mm, send someone to the Department of Punishment to have them clear out a few more storehouses."

The doctor replied, "Yes."

Zhang Yang, in a good mood, fondled his purse. The purse was a gift from one of his concubines. Today he had almost not wanted to come to the Ministry of Revenue at all. His father, the Emperor, still favored him, granting him two beautiful concubines.

Zhang Yang was somewhat distracted while settling accounts, feeling as if time was dragging.

Nevertheless, his thoughts still lingered on the main wife. If the concubines were so desirable, the main wife must be even better!

At noon, at the Chang family home, Chang Yi arrived, "Mother, this is the silver from selling the frozen fish from the ice cellar, and this is from selling the fish from the fish farm. Please take a look."

Zhulan flipped through it, "The fish from the ice cellar sold for a hundred more taels than I anticipated."

Chang Yi explained, "This year’s fish trade is good, the storage was well-kept, and the price went up a bit."

Zhulan pocketed the silver and looked at Chang Yi.

Chang Yi, after so many years, couldn’t say he knew his mother completely, but he understood her six or seven parts, "Mother, do you have something you want to tell your son?"

Zhulan spoke, "Our family and the Xu family have a good relationship. I’ve always been hearing from the Xu family about overseas affairs. Now, I’ve heard that the Xu family wants to open shops in foreign countries. I’ve been pondering whether it’s possible to acquire property overseas?"

Chang Yi was surprised, "Mother, of course, it’s possible to acquire property. I come into contact with many merchants, so I know quite a bit. On this trip to the fish farm, I learned even more. There are already people acquiring property overseas and I’ve heard that some foreign clans’ merchants enjoy selling our products in their own countries and are well-received by the populace."

Zhulan continued, "I heard that some countries are chaotic and some are always at war. However, there are also some stable countries."

Chang Yi didn’t believe that his mother was simply making idle conversation with him. His heart stirred, "Mother, are you suggesting that I go out and have a look?"

Zhulan did have that intention. She and Zhou Shuren couldn’t go themselves; Zhou Shuren, for retirement age certainly couldn’t bear the hardship of a sea voyage, but she still hoped that someone from the Chang family could go out and see the world.

The world is vast, and even just a round trip could broaden one’s horizon.

Currently, the only person from the Chang family who could go out was Chang Yi. She had mentioned it to Zhou Shuren, and Zhou Shuren supported the idea. They didn’t know what the future would hold, but perhaps allowing the younger generation to broaden their horizons and understand the world more could be a guidance they provide as elders.